Proverbs 22:15

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a boy; [the] rod of discipline will drive it from him.

Proverbs 22:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child
That is, sin, the greatest of all folly; this is naturally in the heart of man; it is in the heart of a child, it is in him from his infancy; it is bound in his heart, it is rooted and riveted in him, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity; it is what cleaves close to him, and he has a strong affection for and desire after: the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, ( Genesis 8:21 ) ; so that he is not easily brought off of sin, or becomes wise; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him;
the rod used by parents, for the correction of sin and folly, is a means of making children wise, and of restraining the folly that is bound up in them; and of reclaiming them from those sinful ways, which the folly of their hearts leads them to, and so in some measure of driving it far from them.

Proverbs 22:15 In-Context

13 A lazy person says "A lion in the street! In the middle of the highway, I shall be killed!"

14 A deep pit is the mouth of an {adulteress}, [he with whom] Yahweh is angry will fall there.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a boy; [the] rod of discipline will drive it from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor [in order] to enrich himself, [or] gives to the rich, {will come to poverty}.

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.

Footnotes

• [a] Or "mind"
• [b] Or "young man," or "adolescent"
• [c] That is, folly